Though we're only two weeks removed from the last gubernatorial
election, talk in Atlantic City last night had already turned to the next race.

That's the nature of politics in a state that holds an
election of some kind every year.

Most of the conversation at the late night parties following
the first day of the League of Municipalities convention focused on Senate
President Steve Sweeney, who is making all the moves an early contender might
make, including holding court at a late night dessert reception held in his
honor.

Sweeney presided over a packed house at Caesar's Hotel and Casino– so packed
that some in the room waited up to 30 minutes in line to get in and then faced a
bar four deep with patrons to get a drink.

While Sweeney was clearly the star of the show, the night
offered some small drama when Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop entered the room
for a brief chat with the senate president.

Fulop, who won a convincing victory last May to take the
helm of the state's second largest city is seen by some as Sweeney's chief
rival to take over the governor's chair once Gov. Chris Christie moves on.

The mayor's entrance went unnoticed by the majority of the
partiers in the room, but those whose job it is to speculate on elections four
years away didn't miss it. He stayed
only a short while before moving on.

Fulop also is making the moves necessary for a potential
run, including hosting his own pair of parties here – one for the masses and
one specifically for "friends of labor."

He's also hosted a series of small events at the Revel.

"You have Sweeney and Fulop in the field and then who else?"
asked one political operative not connected to either camp who asked to remain
anonymous. "I think it'll be one of
those guys who gets the nomination and probably wins the race."

Others in the room debated whether Fulop can be successful in moving into the space once dominated by Newark Mayor turned U.S. Sen. Cory Booker: The next great Democratic hope.

But lobbyist Bill Maer, a veteran of years of League conventions
said the chatter is normal for events like these, but usually unjustified.

"After the (gubernatorial) election everyone involved in
politics suddenly has some free time on their hands and they over analyze every
issue and development that occurs," he said. "Often times much is made of
nothing. With the election over everyone immediately has to look at the next
election."

As for whether any potential candidate can legitimately be
labeled a front-runner, Maer said it's way too soon.

"Four years in politics is a lifetime so I haven't paid
significant attention to the chatter," he said.